Erosion Control

Though cover crops produce many benefits, such as improving soil health and supporting beneficial insect populations, the primary reason for planting a cover crop is to "cover" the soil and prevent erosion by wind and water - especially if the field is at all sloped. While any crop is an improvement over bare soil for preventing erosion, some are more effective than others. Fast-growing crops with a dense leaf and stalk canopy are ideal for holding the soil in place and minimizing the impact of rain and wind after the primary crop has been harvested.